diff --git a/src/game.cpp b/src/game.cpp
index 3b661ec716935..62321ea62ee6f 100644
--- a/src/game.cpp
+++ b/src/game.cpp
@@ -8601,7 +8601,7 @@ game::vmenu_ret game::list_items( const std::vector<map_item_stack> &item_list )
                 const std::string *new_str;
                 // 1 make space between item description and right padding (distance)
                 int new_width = 1;
-                const nc_color *new_col;
+                const nc_color *new_col = nullptr;
                 if( print_new ) {
                     switch( check_items_newness( iter->example ) ) {
                         case content_newness::NEW: